§ 6-2001. Purpose.

The purpose for establishing these provisions is to create a clear and consistent set of uniform design standards that would apply to all properties throughout the Newport development service overlay district. The design standards outlined in this section are intended to facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community as stated in Section 15.2-2283 of the Code of Virginia. Furthermore, these design standards are established to preserve historical sites and architectural areas within the district and those lands that are contiguous to arterial streets that are significant routes of tourist access to designated historic landmarks, buildings, structures or districts (Section 152-2306 of the Code of Virginia). As the county is one (1) of the original eight (8) shires, and with the presence of the historical St. Luke's Church within the NDSO, and the historic Town of Smithfield as its neighbor, these design standards are established to preserve the historic character, architectural forms, patterns and significance of these areas.

These regulations are intended to supplement regulations in the underlying zoning districts and to provide for orderly and coherent development within the entire Newport development service overlay district. All development proposed within this district shall be subject to the procedures, standards, and guidelines specified in the following sections, in addition to those standards pertaining to the particular base zoning district in which the development occurs. In particular, the purpose of the Newport development service overlay district is to:

1.

Encourage building designs that promote the historic nature and value of the district and county;

2.

Encourage contiguous, mature and healthy landscaping in site design, parking lots and along major corridors within the district;

3.

Encourage site design techniques that maximize public safety and promote the character of the district through the effective design of buildings, parking lots and public spaces;

4.

Provide for the continued safe and efficient use of roadways;

5.

Maintain natural beauty and scenic, cultural, and historic character of the district, particularly distinctive views, vistas, and visual continuity;

6.

Promote traffic calming devices that provide safe on-site circulation of vehicular, pedestrian or bike traffic;

7.

Promote flexible design criteria to ensure the reuse of nonconforming property;

8.

Encourage sign design standards that are functional and efficient, decrease visual clutter, and are compatible with building designs within the district;

9.

Encourage the interconnectivity of commercial, office, civic and residential uses through the use of roadways, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle paths;

10.

Encourage the preservation of open space for active and passive recreation;

11.

Encourage public access to waterways through the use of greenway/pedestrian walkways;

12.

Promote best management practice (BMP) facilities and low impact development design standards (LIDDS) that enhance the site design and promote health and safety;

13.

Encourage the use of clustering in residential development to preserve open space, trees and greenways, and reduce the overall impact of new development on the habitat;

14.

Encourage the use of traditional neighborhood development (TND) design concepts to minimize impact on public services, maximize the use of public infrastructure, and allow a mix of residential uses with compatible commercial and civic uses that offer employment opportunities as well as provide services to the neighboring residential community; and

15.

Encourage the use of appropriate lighting standards to promote safety and protect against light intrusion and glare. (7-7-05; 7-19-18.)